Each year since 2013, TNF has sponsored the National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence on or near the anniversary of the Sandy Hook shooting tragedy. These multidenominational events, held in Washington, D.C., at the National Cathedral and St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, bring together survivors of gun violence, victims’ family members, concerned citizens, faith leaders, lawmakers, leaders of gun violence prevention organizations, and activists from across the nation. Through generous individual donations and grants, TNF is able to bring a busload of advocates from the Newtown area in Connecticut, and families of victims and survivors of gun violence from other communities across the nation to Washington, D.C. to participate in the national vigil service and remembrance event.

Nationwide Vigils & Events to #EndGunViolence

The National Vigil for All Victims of Gun Violence is the only annual event of its kind marking the anniversary of the Sandy Hook shootings and honoring ALL victims of gun violence in America. What began as a single event in the National Cathedral one year after the tragedy has now grown into a truly collaborative effort of the gun violence prevention community with a nationwide array of local vigils & events, with up to 500 satellite vigils and other gatherings in over 40 states. Our goal is to hold local vigils and events in all 50 states during the month of December.

Acts of Kindness

Every December since the Sandy Hook tragedy, the volunteers from TNF collected and leveled thousands of elementary-age schoolbooks to deliver them to Savoy Elementary School in the Anacostia section of Washington, D.C. By building bridges with disadvantaged urban schools, TNF hopes to alter the socio-economic ties to gun violence by offering books to children to improve their reading ability for a brighter and less violent future. Offering free books to students significantly improved attendance during the days leading up to the December holidays. The Newtown community significantly benefitted from “Acts of Kindness” after the Sandy Hook tragedy and TNF will continue to pay it forw

Swords to Plowshare

Swords into Plowshares seeks to turn weapons of violence into tools of life, and growth. Guns collected in police-department “buy-back” programs are melted down by a local artist and rendered useless as weapons. The remnants are then converted into gardening tools, which will be used to plant community gardens.ard.

Junior Newtown Action Alliance

Our teens – our next generation of leaders and voters – have risen up and organized like never before! The Newtown Foundation supports and provides resources for the Junior Newtown Action Alliance (Jr. NAA) members for their efforts to transform their tragedy into positive cultural change. The Jr. NAA students lead a movement among their peers in Newtown and beyond. The students work to raise awareness about gun-violence prevention through various educational activities and actions. The Jr. NAA students have organized the #HonorWithAction Youth Conference, participated in PeaceJam and Generation Progress Youth Leadership Conferences, organized local vigils, school walkouts, die-ins and participated in various gun violence prevention events in Newtown, the State of Connecticut, Washington, D.C., California, Texas, Virginia and beyond.